Delhi air pollution: Severe air quality can hit your finances. Know how health insurance helps

financialexpress.com:

Severe air pollution in Delhi at this time of the year has become an annual affair. While governments have failed to effectively curb the root causes behind deteriorating air quality in the National Capital Region, the gloomy atmosphere is leading to a rise in the number of patients with breathing issues. 

Several reports in the last few days have quoted doctors claiming a spike in the count of patients complaining of breathlessness and other respiratory problems. Hospitalization or frequent visits to hospitals due to pollution-related ailments can lead to a substantial financial burden for patients and their families. Such a burden can be reduced with the help of health insurance. 

In an email interaction with FE Money, Indraneel Chatterjee, Co-founder of RenewBuy, an online insurance platform, explains the most important points policy buyers affected by air pollution, or those living in cities like Delhi, should know. 

Yes, air pollution-related ailments are covered by health insurance. Most health insurance plans are all-inclusive and the usual airborne ailments like bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and COPD that require hospitalization are covered under most health insurance policies (under Terms & Conditions). Any kind of pre-existing medical conditions should be disclosed for seamless settlement of claims. 

Also Read: Delhi air quality slips back into ‘severe’ category, AQI at 421

Hospitals in Delhi are witnessing rise in patients with respiratory conditions, asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), cardiovascular diseases, some requiring ICU admissions too. 

Though normal airborne ailments like bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and COPD that require hospitalization are covered under a health insurance